In between stops during his tour of Virginia, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell paid a private visit to former Sen. Harry Byrd, D-Va., the oldest living former U.S senator, at the age of 97.

Tucker Martin, communications director for McDonnell, tweeted this photo today of the meeting at Byrd's home.

Byrd served in the Senate from 1965 - after winning a special election when his father, Harry Byrd Sr., stepped down from his seat for health reasons - until 1982.

McDonnell announced earlier in the day a public-private partnership to preserve Mount Defiance, a five- acre battle site that is part of the Civil War Middleburg battlefield.

There was no talk of the veepstakes, but McDonnell did mention during his remarks that Virginia has a history of producing presidents.